The Pit Stop (This Stop Could be Life or Death)

By Carmen DeSousa

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The Pit Stop (This Stop Could be Life or Death) When what seems like a normal pit stop turns to more than just gas and food, a lost couple finds themselves searching for the truth of a twenty-year-old mystery that may cost them their life.

Detective Gino Canale doesn’t believe in a hereafter, let alone ghosts looking for closure. But when his reoccurring dream implies that his grandparents’ deaths might actually have been homicides, not to mention that he’s hearing bells that don’t exist and smelling a pipe when no one is smoking, he realizes he’s either connecting to the other side -- or going crazy.

And he’s not sure which thought scares him more.

PLEASE NOTE: The Pit Stop (This Stop Could be Life or Death) is a 10,000-word novelette. If you are looking for one of Carmen DeSousa's full-length novels, please visit her Author Page.

More by Carmen DeSousa

Carmen DeSousa A passionate novel of love, betrayal, and obsession, "She Belongs to Me" will have you falling in love and wondering if you can trust anyone right up to the last page.

Charlotte police officer Jordan Monroe is used to being in control. Ever since his father died, he has provided for his mother and sisters and even hired his two brothers-in-law to help run his successful construction company. On a chance business trip, however, he meets the one person who throws his life into a whirlwind--Jaynee.

Jaynee has lived a tragic life and has sworn off all men. That is until a rugged southern gentleman lands in her seating area, refusing to take no for an answer. From the moment they meet, Jordan sweeps her off her feet, assuring her that happiness exists. But can she really escape her past?

Five years later, Jordan finds Jaynee on their back porch with a gunshot wound to the head. While Jaynee lies in a coma, Jordan has to go back to their beginning and figure out what went wrong. Did he push his wife to the edge, or has her past come back to haunt them?

Although "She Belongs to Me" is part of The Southern Collection, it is a stand-alone story that can be read on its own. This is a cliffhanger-free zone here, friends!

Carmen DeSousa In every myth, there’s a modicum of truth …

Derrick is one of the creatus, created beings who have lived on the earth for more than four thousand years. Many questions surround the origin of these sentient beings who are stronger than humans, eat differently, and live longer. But they were created just as we were, maybe even before us. It is from them we obtain our fairy tales--and our nightmares. They are the reason we believe in superheroes--and monsters. Because...they exist.

In the past, they kept the human race safe from an anonymous distance. But now Derrick must come out of the darkness to save a woman he has no business loving, even if doing so may threaten his entire race.

Carmen DeSousa Some lucky women meet the man of their dreams and live happily ever after. Some lucky women focus on a career and make their own happily ever after. And then some women wake up after fifteen years of marriage and discover that their luck just ran out … right into the arms of another woman.

Jana Embers isn’t one to sit back, though. The first thing Jana realizes she needs to do is empty the joint bank account, then she’s thinking she might take a tire iron to her soon-to-be-ex-husband’s truck. After that, she’s not sure what she’ll do … Maybe she’ll adopt a cat.

After her divorce and a few too many crummy dates, Jana decides she doesn’t need a man. A perfectly sized and shaped device and writing about the perfect hero will more than suffice. Determined to share her philosophy, she pens You Don’t Need a Man, encouraging women everywhere to go out and experience life instead of waiting for a man to complete them.

Three years later, Jana has a New York Times bestseller and a contract for a movie adaptation, but she also has a shoulder injury, which has put a crimp in her new carefree lifestyle. Worse yet, she can’t write. Her only hope is Dr. Adrian Kijek, a renowned physical therapist who hates her simply because she wrote a book about not needing a man, or so she thinks …

Carmen DeSousa Thirty-nine-year-old struggling actress Alaina Ackerman isn’t just down on her luck today; lady luck has packed up and left town for heaven only knows where. Instead of ending up homeless on the streets of New York City in November, Alaina accepts her mother’s holiday invitation and heads home to Pittsburgh for a much-needed break. Maybe even to give up on acting altogether.

The last thing Alaina expects is to be happy returning home, especially when fate not only tosses an abandoned puppy into her lap, but also practically embeds Markus Klein into her life. That wouldn't be so bad if she hadn’t spent the last twenty years trying to forget the night they crossed the “just friends” line. Now, torn between a love she thought she lost, and one she never knew existed, that vicious harpy some call fate dangles Alaina’s dream opportunity -- a leading role -- in front of her. Her only problem… Going after her dream could jeopardize her chance at love.

As if a new puppy, love, and career aren’t complicated enough, Alaina discovers that her mother and sister are keeping a secret from her. The revelation might be just enough to get Alaina’s life heading in the right direction … or send her over the edge.

WARNING: Although there are many adult situations in this contemporary women's fiction with a hint of humor and romance, if say ... something crazy happened and a famous producer adapted this novel into a movie, it would have a PG-13 rating. There are no erotic scenes, no graphic violence, and while there are a few allowed-on-TV curse words, there aren't a plethora of gratuitous foul words. Oh, and if you were looking for a cliffhanger, you won't find that here either. While "Down on Her Luck" is a follow-up story to "Some Lucky Woman," it is a stand-alone novel. Please proceed at your own risk.

Carmen DeSousa Bonus! The Creatus Series Boxed Set now includes the complete five-book series!

For four thousand years, creatus have concealed themselves from the humans who hunted them almost to extinction. Unwittingly, one creatus will endanger them all ...

As with most of his family, Derrick Ashton knows his future and what position he's destined to fill within his unique society. Everything changes, however, when he breaks one of his family's strictest laws and falls in love -- with a human.

In his quest to protect the woman he can never have, a twist of fate propels him into a new role that will cause dissension among his family and endanger the anonymity that they've spent thousands of years protecting.

Now, he will risk everything to save the girl from humans and his own kind. The one thing he can't save her from, however ... is herself.

The Creatus series is not your normal paranormal story ... it's a realistic romantic mystery based on the myths you've heard your entire life. Prepare to believe.

Carmen DeSousa When what seems like a normal pit stop turns to more than just gas and food, a lost couple finds themselves searching for the truth of a twenty-year-old mystery that may cost them their life.

Detective Gino Canale doesn’t believe in a hereafter, let alone ghosts looking for closure. But when his reoccurring dream implies that his grandparents’ deaths might actually have been homicides, not to mention that he’s hearing bells that don’t exist and smelling a pipe when no one is smoking, he realizes he’s either connecting to the other side -- or going crazy.

And he’s not sure which thought scares him more.

PLEASE NOTE: The Pit Stop (This Stop Could be Life or Death) is a 10,000-word novelette. If you are looking for one of Carmen DeSousa's full-length novels, please visit her Author Page.

For four thousand years, creatus have concealed themselves from the humans who hunted them almost to extinction. Now, one rogue wants the world to know they exist.

Victoria doesn't want any of it; she just wants to live in peace without men -- humans or creatus -- messing with her head. When the rogue decides he wants her to join him, though, only one person is close enough to help her. Only problem, he's her prisoner, and if he escapes, she's supposed to kill him.

The Creatus series is not your normal paranormal story … it's a realistic romantic mystery based on the myths you've heard your entire life. Prepare to believe.

Carmen DeSousa Not all phantoms are myths …

For four thousand years, creatus have concealed themselves from the humans who hunted them almost to extinction. Now, one rogue faction wants the world to know they exist.

Meghan only wants to be normal, and for the first time in her life, she feels she might have a chance to be herself.As she finds herself between creatus families with different ideals and their roles within the human race, she struggles to find her way. Only, her path leads her right into the arms of a wanted man. Not only will she have to fight for the man she loves, she'll have to fight for her very life.

The Creatus series is not your typical paranormal story ... it's a realistic romantic mystery based on the myths you've heard your entire life. Prepare to believe.

The Creatus series is not your normal paranormal story...it's a realistic romantic mystery based on the myths you've heard your entire life. Prepare to believe...

Carmen DeSousa Locals say The Depot is haunted. But in all the years homicide detective Mark Waters has visited the 1800s train station turned restaurant, he’s never seen proof. Until now.As he investigates a supposed suicide by train, he learns secrets of a murder that took place eighty years ago may directly affect his case.The Depot (When Life and Death Cross Tracks) is a thirteen-thousand-word mini mystery with a ghostly edge by bestselling romantic-suspense author Carmen DeSousa. If you are looking for her full-length novels, please check out her author page.

Carmen DeSousa Split Decisions is the follow-up story to She Belongs to Me, a "what if" type of story that explores the questions we often ask ourselves about our life and the choices we've made. Get ready...this is not your normal romantic-suspense... This is romantic-suspense with a supernatural twist.

Sometimes you want something so badly you are willing to abandon everything you've ever known--including yourself.

Eighteen years ago, Jaynee Monroe married the man of her dreams, became the mother of four, and fulfilled her career goals. About to turn forty, she senses something is missing from her idyllic life. While Googling her name in an attempt to find herself, she unearths something so impossible, she contemplates her own sanity. Seeking answers, she embarks on a journey to discover the truth, only to end up abducted by a deranged stranger who insists on calling her Caycee.

Caycee took the road less traveled. After rejecting a marriage proposal from the only decent man she has ever known, she ventures to California to become famous. Eighteen years later, success has left her alone and miserable. Attempting to locate her lost love on Facebook, she discovers his infatuation with her. Not only does his presumed-dead wife have Caycee's uncommon middle name, it also appears he has photo-shopped Caycee's face over his wife's face.

Never could Caycee and Jaynee have imagined that decisions they made years earlier would threaten not only their lives, but also their loved ones. Caycee must now reunite with the southern gent she dismissed eighteen years ago and convince him to accompany her to New York to locate his wife, the most important person in both their lives.

Although Split Decisions is part of The Southern Collection, it is a stand-alone story that can be read on its own. This is a cliffhanger-free zone here, friends!

Carmen DeSousa Passion, secrets, murder… Welcome to Land of the Noonday Sun.

When a new attorney accepts a pro-bono case of an abused woman suspected of attempted murder, he ends up with more than he bargained for. She's the ex-wife of one of the oldest and wealthiest families in Ashville, and her in-laws will stop at nothing to conceal family secrets--even murder.

Unable to ignore his attraction, he gets closer than he should. But when all evidence points to the woman he's falling in love with, he will risk everything--his reputation, disbarment, maybe even his life to uncover the truth.

Although When Noonday Ends is part of The Southern Collection, it is a stand-alone story that can be read on its own. This is a cliffhanger-free zone here, friends!

Carmen DeSousa When two strangers have nothing left but their dreams, they must forge a relationship in Nantahala, North Carolina, a small town known as Land of the Noonday Sun.

Cassandra is the beautiful, yet analytical daughter of a wealthy attorney. Destined to follow in her father’s footsteps, her life of privilege suddenly shatters, and she finds herself with no home, career, or money. A glimmer of hope arrives in a letter from the grave, promising a happier existence. Cassandra stands to inherit over half a million dollars if she can live in the sleepy little town of Nantahala for six months. Falling in love, however, was not part of the deal, and without warning, she finds herself fighting for two lives.

A man with a traumatic past is able to turn his life around and is happy with his chosen career as a whitewater guide. Everything changes, though, when fate hurls a woman into his path. His carefree life is in turmoil, and his former weaknesses threaten to overtake him. Will he be strong enough when tragedy strikes and is once again in danger of losing everything he loves?

Although Land of the Noonday Sun is part of the Southern Romantic-Suspense Collection, it is a stand-alone story that can be read on its own. This is a cliffhanger-free zone here, friends!

Note: Land of the Noonday Sun was originally published May 2012. While there have been a few updates, this is the original story. Happy reading!

It'll all come down to two men, one decision, and a final encounter that will change her life forever.

Although "Entangled Dreams" is part of The Southern Collection, it is a stand-alone story that can be read on its own. This is a cliffhanger-free zone here, friends!

Carmen DeSousa A fire-red BMW, a mansion on the water, a closet the size of a small department store … At eighteen years old, Charity Bauer has gotten anything she has ever wanted in life. At least she thought she had everything she wanted …

The night Charity meets Brock Ryan she sees not only a chance to spend a night with a hot divorcé, but also an opportunity to make her ex jealous. Some things aren’t for sale, though, especially not Brock Ryan. When one night of innocent flirting causes a chain reaction that will forever change her life, Charity will have to make difficult decisions that will affect her future and the ones she loves — maybe even cost her the love of a lifetime.

Carmen DeSousa In 1934, the body of a beautiful, but poor young woman was found alongside a riverbank near The Depot. Beaten to a pulp, only recognizable by a tattoo on her ankle, and yet, days after the discovery, the story all but disappears.

Eighty years later, locals claim The Depot is haunted. But in all the years homicide detective Mark Waters has visited the historic 1800s train station turned restaurant, he's never seen proof. Until now.

As he sifts through evidence of a supposed suicide by train, he learns a murder that took place eighty years ago may directly affect his case.

Six months after the strange occurrences at The Depot, there’s another murder. This time, The Library holds secrets of several murders, and the dead won’t rest until the murderer checks out too.

Note: The Library (Where Life Checks Out) is a 50k-word follow-up novel to The Depot (When Life and Death Cross Tracks), which is included in this special edition so readers who haven't read The Depot won't miss anything.

Carmen DeSousa A coming-of-age story for anyone who’s ever had a first love, an everlasting love…

College and career are hard enough without bringing love into the mix, so the last thing Jesse is looking for is a spring break fling. His future entails getting an MBA and taking over the reins of his father’s small-time plumbing company and making it successful. He doesn’t have time for a girl, especially not one who’s related to the spoiled rich girl who broke up his last relationship. One week with Kayla, though, changes everything.

Eighteen and in love, Jesse and Kayla now have everything they’ve ever wanted—until tragedy strikes. Now, thrust into a world of heartbreak and grief, others insist they are too young. But when you find the love of your life, no matter how young you are, no matter what happens, the only thing you can do is hold on and LOVE LIKE CRAZY.

Although tastefully written, this coming-of-age story includes adult situations appropriate for readers sixteen and older.

Carmen DeSousa The stories in the Southern Romantic Suspense Collection all have a slight connection to each other so you can read each book individually — without a cliffhanger — then continue the journey and meet new protagonists with different issues and tragedies to overcome. Each story has a mystery, there’s always a gentle message, and above all, there’s always romance and suspense.

Novels included in this set:

She Belongs to Me – In this tightly woven tale of love, possession, and secrets, police detective Jordan Monroe finds his wife unconscious, clinging to life. Was the shooting self-inflicted, or attempted murder? All Jordan knows for certain is that he must uncover the mystery of his wife's past before it comes back to claim both of them.

Land of the Noonday Sun – When two strangers have nothing left but their dreams, they must forge a relationship in Nantahala, North Carolina, a small town known as Land of the Noonday Sun.

Entangled Dreams – Alexandra used to live a charmed life — until a tragedy took it all away... Years later, one reckless night will put her back on the road to disaster in this steamy novel packed with swoon-worthy romance and heart-stopping suspense.

When Noonday Ends – When a new attorney accepts a pro-bono case of an abused woman suspected of attempted murder, he ends up with more than he bargained for. She’s the ex-wife of one of the oldest and wealthiest families in Ashville, and her in-laws will stop at nothing to conceal family secrets — even murder.